Chapter Text
With that single step, he was already about to burst into tears.
- Scum Villain's Self-Saving System Vol. 2, chapter 6, page 32
In a momentary lapse of judgement - largely due to the protagonist's sudden appearance like a fucking jumpscare in a horror movie - Shen Qingqiu turned to the newly updated SYSTEM in his head.
Truthfully, he wasn't expecting any major help from it. In fact, despite him blaming Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky for the inconveniences in his (second) life, it was the SYSTEM who was responsible for everything that happened to him in the first place.
Including the fact that Shen Qingqiu had to (unwillingly) push his beloved disciple down the abyss and condemn him for the plot line. Now, said beloved disciple (or was it ex-disciple now? Luo Binghe was clearly making it clear where his loyalty now lay) was staring at him just a few steps away. Calm and serene as a morning breeze.
It was the kind of breeze that could topple a dead leaf.
SYSTEM! Shen Qingqiu called desperately. His poor fan was bearing the weight of his fear.
A loud ping answered him.
[Hello, host! How may we help you?]
Shen Qingqiu knew that anything he would say and do would be added to his list of sins to atone for. Judging by the looks of the Huan Hua disciples, they would be the most biased witnesses in court when Shen Qingqiu got inevitably dragged in to answer for his crimes against the protagonist.
What are my chances in lowering everyone's hostility against me and not triggering the protagonist's anger?
It was a stupid question, really. But Shen Qingqiu didn't know how else he was going to ask how he was going to escape this situation intact, which was highkey impossible.
[Answering the host. It depends on the host's reactions to the protagonist.]
Shen Qingqiu internally rolled his eyes. Great. What a great answer. A+ for effort. Your Asian parent would be so fucking proud of you and spare you the disappointment tangent.
Do I even have something that can distract the protagonist?
[Host can use an item in his inventory to temporarily distract the protagonist.]
Oh, well. How much worse could it be? Bring it.
[Initializing request...]
[One item found: Heart Truth Root of Sincerity]
[Processing item....100%]
Wait.
Shen Qingqiu's stomach, which had shrivelled in fear at the sight of Luo Binghe, dropped even further. His whole body went numb as he recalled what the item the SYSTEM had just scammed him into using.
Heart Truth Root of Sincerity.
He had forgotten about that thing.
It was a throwaway plot device from one of the hundreds of filler chapters in Proud Immortal Demon Way. Wife No. One Hundred and Seventy-Eight was a cold woman who was a hundred percent a repressed tsundere. She would refuse and insult the protagonist hotly but anyone with an eye could see that she didn't mean it. Until she accidentally encountered the Heart Truth Root of Sincerity and...well.
Luo Binghe had fun sexily coaxing the truth out of her. Repeatedly. Shen Yuan's eyes burned at each cliche line as he hurriedly scrolled down the page, wondering if the demonic uprising plot line was resolved.
Spoiler alert: it wasn't resolved.
Shen Qingqiu encountered this root while on his travels. There had been an auction and, like the curious scholar he was, he couldn't resist taking a look. Of course, he bid for the plant and won. Well, he was the only one who bid for the plant because not even the auctioneer had the slightest inkling of what it was other than dubbing it as a "mysterious root dug from the crystal lakes from the borders of the demon realm."
Given that it was a highly suspicious demonic item, none of the cultivators there dared to purchase it.
So Shen Qingqiu got it cheap. What a bargain, he had thought. It was a pity that no one knew that it was also a life-saving item when eaten during the full moon. It could replenish lost blood and qi within five seconds!
So yeah. He was stocking up for the inevitable meeting between him and the protagonist.
Now, if you were to take the Heart Truth Root of Sincerity anytime outside of the full moon...that's when you would see why it was named like that.
It wasn't a truth potion or curse or plant whatever. It was...an anti-repressor, so to speak. It weakened anyone's defenses, made their true feelings well-known and exaggerated to the point that you could paste a picture of the root next to the word 'hyperbole.'
The effect, however, only lasted for twenty-four hours. No harm would come to the poor victim, only mortification.
Motherfucker.
Shen Qingqiu would choose getting poisoned with the Without A Cure a hundred times more than deal with this.
And then he felt it, a hot and stinging sensation in his eyes.
Something warm and wet trailed down his cheek. His vision blurred and he hurriedly tried blinking it away.
Shen Qingqiu quickly wiped his face before anyone could see. He stared at the wet trail in his hand in horror and betrayal. What the fuck, SYSTEM?!
Too late, Luo Binghe already saw it, judging by the sharp intake of breath and everyone going silent around him.
Shen Qingqiu peeked at him through wet and blurry eyes, half-terrified of what he would see. A sneer? A sarcastic look of concern? Or maybe a smug smile because he successfully made his scum of a master cry in public? Not that Shen Qingqiu could blame him, in fact-
Luo Binghe -
He looked like he had been slapped. As if someone had just ripped his core from him and he was left untethered.
The quietly menacing aura of his vanished. As did the fake sincerity and growing smirk on his beautiful face. Gone was the demon lord who could conquer the realms and fool the world with his honeyed words. In his place was a lost wounded sheep, wide-eyed, like Shen Qingqiu's Binghe.
[-100 Anger points!
+20 Heartbreak points!]
What. That doesn't make any sense-!
"Shizun?" Luo Binghe took a step forward, a hand raised as if to touch him.
Shen Qingqiu couldn't control the full body flinch as he stepped away further from Luo Binghe's path, nearly bumping into Gongyi Xiao. He cleared his throat, opening his fan to hide his face.
[+10 Heartbreak points!]
[Host, if the protagonist's heartbreak points reaches the limit, it would lead to qi deviation.]
What is Luo Binghe's current heartbreak points?
The SYSTEM flashed a number at the screen. Shen Qingqiu felt faint when he registered the number. Fuck. Fuck.
Oh, Binghe.
Another unbidden tear sprang up.
What the fuck.
Crying like this, the original goods would be so fucking furious. Hell, the cruel and unfeeling man didn't even shed a tear at the peak of Luo Binghe's torture! He got turned into a fucking pickle in a jar and still managed to spitefully maintain the tiniest shred of his dignity!
Shen Qingqiu wasn't the type to cry. He wasn't the type to let his emotions cloud his mind. He was a man for fuck's sake, not a weeping maiden! He died once, lost his family, his Internet, his technology and modern comforts, got transmigrated into this role and he. Never. Shed. A. Tear.
And here he was, crying in front of the protagonist.
In front of the Huan Hua disciples.
In front of Gongyi Xiao.
All because he was terrified as shit and full of so much guilt that he could choke on it and die. What else was he supposed to feel when facing the beloved boy whom he cherished then abandoned to his fate?
Besides, what more face did he had to lose? If the original goods popped up beside him just to whip him for being a crybaby, Shen Qingqiu would literally accept that punishment because it would hurt a lot less than enduring this...embarrassment.
Fuck, could he blow himself up right now? The Sun-Moon Dew Mushroom he had been growing was still not ready but damn it all, Shen Qingqiu was willing to risk it.
He really, really didn't want to die.
"Senior Shen!" Gongyi Xiao touched his arm, face warm and full of concern. He quickly took something out from his sleeves - a carefully folded white silk handkerchief - and offered it to him.
He stood in front of Shen Qingqiu as if he was shielding him from further shame. He was tall enough that he completely blocked Luo Binghe's face from Shen Qingqiu's view. It was too bad that Shen Qingqiu could still feel the protagonist's glare piercing right through Gongyi Xiao's head. In his heart, he was in awe of this cannon fodder's balls to turn his back to the protagonist to side with the scum villain.
But seeing Gongyi Xiao acting like how his white lotus Binghe used to do felt like someone had just punched him in the gut with a war hammer. His eyes turned hot. It didn't help that the young man somehow resembled the white lotus he had lost!
What a good child.
Shen Qingqiu politely refused the handkerchief. He cleared his throat to remove that stuffy feeling and said, "This master... just had something in his eye."
Right.
That was lame even for someone like Shang Qinghua.
He silently and ardently cursed that stupid hack author, the SYSTEM and his past self for buying that root. Who knew that it would be used against him like this?!
There was a loud and incensed scoff which came from behind them.
"So, Senior Shen would even resort to such methods to gather sympathy from Luo-shixiong?" A feminine voice spoke, ridicule and disbelief clear in her tone. Very good, she was calling out the vile manipulative ways of the villain to stop her beloved from falling for it, and cast doubts on the villain in everyone's hearts.
Qin-guniang, Shen Qingqiu sighed in his heart, if you were affected by this root, trust this old man. You'd have climbed the protagonist like a tree in front of your martial siblings.
Gongyi Xiao turned around and reprimanded, "Qin-shimei, remember who you are speaking to!"
Qin Wanyue protested, "But-"
"Be quiet," Luo Binghe said.
Shen Qingqiu's heart almost climbed out of his mouth as he dared to look over Gongyi Xiao's shoulder.
The tone of Luo Binghe's voice was cold and cutting. Sharper than any rare powerful and demonic knife. It was the kind that was described a thousand of times during court scenes whenever a stupid demon lord ran his mouth off and offended Luo Binghe.
It left no room for any argument along with the threat of boiling them alive if they dared to say anything more.
But it was the hard and unyielding glint in Luo Binghe's eyes that sealed it. He meant it.
Qin Wanyue shrank back along with the rest of the Huan Hua disciples. They were shooting confused glances at Luo Binghe and then Qin Wanyue. Qin Wanyue, on the other hand, pressed a dainty hand on her bosom. Her beautiful face pale, her peach blossom eyes heartbroken and pleading.
Any male lead would fall on his knees to comfort her. Shen Qingqiu suddenly felt pity for the girl and even offended on her behalf! He berated Luo Binghe in his mind. Protagonist, ah. You don't lose your temper with any of your wives! Especially when they're just trying to help you with your revenge!
But the protagonist didn't spare her any glance. Instead, he was staring right at Shen Qingqiu with an emotion that Shen Qingqiu couldn't name. As if he wanted to reach out and- and hold him. As if he cared.
Shen Qingqiu's heart let out a sharp pang. He looked away and pointedly raised his fan higher so his face was half-hidden. He stared at the wall instead as he wrestled with his emotions.
Wait.
Ah shit, it must be his old age. He almost forgot that as someone with a high enough cultivation, he could suppress the effects of the root.
Frowning, he focused on suppressing the effects of the root with his qi. With the Without A Cure in his veins, it left him with only enough power to - based on his calculations - hightail it out of here and fight for fifteen minutes.
In an instant, his tears dried up. Thank fuck.
With a clearer mind, he glanced around and took stock of the entire situation.
Luo Binghe suddenly took another step forward until he and Gongyi Xiao were standing before each other.
Shen Qingqiu, hyper aware of the fact that only one body separated him and his punisher, was paralyzed with fear. His grip on his fan and his qi nearly slipped.
A strange tension sank in the room, so heavy it was suffocating, as the two peerless young men stared down at each other.
Shen Qingqiu tried his best to blend in with the wall. He eyed the broken window. If he jumped right now, it would prove that Huan Hua cannon fodder lackey was right and that he was guilty of something. Well, shit. Shen Qingqiu didn't even know if he could make it that far to shout for Liu Qingge's name before the protagonist caught up with him.
That was if the protagonist chose to make his move right now where the others could see.
Or maybe he could join that body of the old woman on the floor and play dead.
But they were in the middle of an investigation! If Shen Qingqiu attempted to shirk off his duty, more tongues would wag and more fingers would be pointed at him.
Fuck.
Luo Binghe broke the silence. His voice was tender and silky as he spoke, "Gongyi-xiong, please step aside. This one shall tend to his shizun."
Shen Qingqiu pressed his lips together as he stared at the back of Gongyi Xiao's head. He silently sent a prayer and offered his energy and support to the poor, brave cannon fodder.
"If Luo-xiong did care for Senior Shen then he should have helped me discipline my martial siblings instead of letting them accuse Senior Shen of such baseless things," was Gongyi Xiao's calm reply.
Shen Qingqiu bit back the urge to gawk. Oh. Burn. Holy shit, Master Gongyi. Who knew that you hid such venom and courage behind that pretty face of yours?
He couldn't blame him. The poor guy spent a year getting steadily pushed behind and replaced by the protagonist. Who wouldn't be frustrated? The fact that he was the righteous kind only added fuel to his pyre.
Shen Qingqiu couldn't see what face Luo Binghe was making at the barb but the temperature dropped and his hairs stood at the end.
"Whatever does Gongyi-xiong mean? This one was just surprised to see shizun and was overcome with happiness."
If anything, Gongyi Xiao straightened his shoulders and stood at his full height. It oddly reminded Shen Qingqiu of that one scene in a random afternoon drama where the second male lead was standing up for the poor heroine against the first male lead.
He quickly shoved that thought away. Forget it! Shen Qingqiu was just buying soy sauce!
"If that is Luo-xiong's sentiments, then pray tell, why was he reluctant to return to Qing Jing Peak and Senior Shen's side the moment he recovered?"
Second barb thrown. Damn, Master Gongyi wasn't holding anything back.
"Gongyi-xiong is so invested on shizun's behalf. This one thanks Gongyi-xiong for his care but it does make me wonder... is Gongyi-xiong perhaps thinking of switching to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect? He has been so eager to care for my shizun, even willingly speaking up on his behalf. Tell this one, what right do you have to stop me from doing my duties as shizun's disciple?"
The way Luo Binghe's tongue curled around " my " and " shizun " almost made Shen Qingqiu stop breathing.
[+15 Protagonist Coolness points!]
"Luo-xiong-" Gongyi Xiao said, nearly a warning hiss at the obvious accusation.
Even Shen Qingqiu winced behind the fan.
The tension was so thick that lightning strikes were flying between the two. Shen Qingqiu couldn't handle this anymore. He wasn't some maiden to be squabbled over like this by two peerless young men. His pride and his reputation couldn't handle it.
What would everyone say if word got out that he was relying on a disciple from another sect to defend him from his lost disciple who rose from the dead?
Nothing good!
Besides, they had bigger things to worry about.
Gathering his courage, he snapped his fan close and said, "Enough."
The tension snapped.
Luo Binghe turned to look at him but Shen Qingqiu calmly avoided his eyes. His years acting as an elegant and refined immortal cultivator honed his poser skills so his face didn't crack under the pressure.
"This master is fine. It was just the dust in the room. Disciple Luo, Young Master Gongyi, we are still in the middle of investigating-" he choked. A familiar numbness went through his meridians and his control slipped. His chest ached. Tears started welling up in his eyes. He clenched his eyes shut, refusing to let them fall.
Shen Qingqiu wanted to tear his hair out and scream in frustration. He almost did it. His nails bit his palm as he forced himself to calm down. Motherfucking son of a shitty bitch.
He was going to have words with Shang Qinghua if he survived this. He was going to throttle that damned shitty author and make him eat that stupid root before throwing him to his demon king! See if he'd like that!
Shen Qingqiu asked for one thing and one thing only - for things to go his way for once in this second life, goddammit.
Why the fuck was he crying?!
He should be panicking and yelling his head off! He should be high tailing it out of the room and running like a headless chicken! Did he get a defective root? Just his fucking luck.
Half a heart beat passed.
"Senior Shen-"
There was a touch on his arm and shoulders. A familiar scent enveloped him, something that he missed for all those three years and something he'd only get a waft at if he opened that side room he kept close and unchanged in the owner's absence. The scent, however, had changed into something deeper. Against his wishes, Shen Qingqiu's eyes flew open.
Luo Binghe was holding him close to him. Not too close that it was considered inappropriate, but the solid heat of his body was there even with the layer of their clothes. A sudden wave of "oh god, I missed you" crashed through his chest, almost bowling him over.
His knees were turning soft as tofu.
Luo Binghe wasn't looking at him. His eyes were fixed at the rest of the room as he announced, "This one trusts Gongyi-xiong to lead the investigations in my absence. Shizun is clearly unwell. Please be assured that I will return to help once shizun is taken care of." Then softly, he whispered to Shen Qingqiu, "Don't worry, shizun. Binghe is here."
Like a prisoner, Shen Qingqiu was marched out of the room in the shackles of Luo Binghe's hold before he could utter a word of protest.